The Winter Summit 

With two converging mountain ranges to explore, Stage 3 of the 2021 Absa Cape Epic is not short on climbing. Nestled in the nook between the Groot Winterhoek and the Witzenberg Ranges the Tulbagh Valley is not hasty to reveal its rewards. The stage begins benignly enough, until the first ever Dimension Data Hotspot sprint, down the town’s 300 year old Church Street. Thereafter the climbing begins in earnest; upwards towards the Bone Trail. Beyond, a network of brand new singletracks explores virgin territories. Well-established singletracks provide an exhilarating reward for conquering the two thirds of the day’s climbs. But one huge climb remains; Fanties Pass, arguably the toughest climb of the 2021 route. Topping out at over 20% and averaging 14% for its final 2 kilometres it will demand every ounce of energy. Below the summit the Land Rover Technical Terrain awaits on more virgin singletrack. 

Land Rover Technical Terrain: Assegaaibos

Cut initially into the steep slopes of the Groot Winterhoek Mountains, Assegaaibos is purpose built for the 2021 Absa Cape Epic. Slipping through a spectacular indigenous forest and dropping through unspoiled fynbos it is sure to be loose in places. Its virgin soils have yet to be compacted by the race’s 2 600 bicycle tyres.